"I CANNOT SING, DANCE OR ACT: WHAT ELSE WOULD I BE BUT A TALK SHOW HOST?" A COMPARISON BETWEEN ELLEN DEGENERES AND JIMMY FALLON FROM A NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE Emma Verspeelt Stamnummer: 01404895 Promotor: Prof. dr. Stef Slembrouck Masterproef voorgelegd voor het behalen van de graad master in de taal-en letterkunde: Engels Academiejaar: 2016 - 2017 ii "I CANNOT SING, DANCE OR ACT: WHAT ELSE WOULD I BE BUT A TALK SHOW HOST?"1 A COMPARISON BETWEEN ELLEN DEGENERES AND JIMMY FALLON FROM A NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE Emma Verspeelt Stamnummer: 01404895 Promotor: Prof. dr. Stef Slembrouck Masterproef voorgelegd voor het behalen van de graad master in de taal-en letterkunde: Engels Academiejaar: 2016 - 2017 1 Quite By David Letterman (Tennant 2016) iii Verklaring in verband met auteursrecht De auteur en de promotor(en) geven de toelating deze studie als geheel voor consultatie beschikbaar te stellen voor persoonlijk gebruik. Elk ander gebruik valt onder de beperkingen van het auteursrecht, in het bijzonder met betrekking tot de verplichting de bron uitdrukkelijk te vermelden bij het aanhalen van gegevens uit deze studie. Het auteursrecht betreffende de gegevens vermeld in deze studie berust bij de promotor(en). Het auteursrecht beperkt zich tot de wijze waarop de auteur de problematiek van het onderwerp heeft benaderd en neergeschreven. De auteur respecteert daarbij het oorspronkelijke auteursrecht van de individueel geciteerde studies en eventueel bijhorende documentatie, zoals tabellen en figuren. De auteur en de promotor(en) zijn niet verantwoordelijk voor de behandelingen en eventuele doseringen die in deze studie geciteerd en beschreven zijn. iv Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor Prof. Dr. Stef Slembrouck for the useful comments, suggestions and guidance. Furthermore I like to thank Eddy Verspeelt, Laura Verspeelt and William Minnaert for proofreading my dissertation. Also, I would like to thank Karolien Timmermans, who was always there to provide support and feedback. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends, who have supported me throughout the entire process. v Table of Contents Verklaring in verband met auteursrecht ...................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ vi Abstract xii INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter 1 General Introduction ................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 2 Context ....................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Narrative: what? ....................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Media versus Everyday Interaction ......................................................................................... 5 2.3 The Format of the Talk Show .................................................................................................. 5 2.3.1 What is a ‘talk show’? ................................................................................................. 5 2.3.2 It’s all about the Host .................................................................................................. 6 2.3.3 Talk Show or Chat show? ........................................................................................... 9 2.3.4 Please Welcome … ..................................................................................................... 9 2.3.5 Applause, cheering or laughter ................................................................................. 11 2.4 Power(less) Language: Men versus Women.......................................................................... 12 Chapter 3 Method ..................................................................................................................... 13 3.1 Assumptions and objectives................................................................................................... 13 3.2 Method ................................................................................................................................... 14 PART 1 ‘NEGOTIATING BEGINNINGS’ 16 Introduction 17 Chapter 1 : Topic Initiation ..................................................................................................... 18 vi 1.1 President Barack Obama ........................................................................................................ 18 1.1.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 18 1.1.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 20 1.1.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 22 1.2 Drew Barrymore .................................................................................................................... 23 1.2.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 23 1.2.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 25 1.2.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 26 1.3 Rebel Wilson ......................................................................................................................... 28 1.3.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 28 1.3.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 29 1.3.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 31 1.4 Shaquille O’Neal ................................................................................................................... 32 1.4.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 32 1.4.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 33 1.4.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 34 1.5 Will Smith .............................................................................................................................. 35 1.5.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 35 1.5.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 36 1.5.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 37 1.6 General Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 2 Analysing questions ................................................................................................ 39 2.1 President Barack Obama ........................................................................................................ 40 2.1.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 40 2.1.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 41 2.1.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 42 2.2 Drew Barrymore .................................................................................................................... 43 2.2.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 43 2.2.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 44 2.2.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 45 2.3 Rebel Wilson ......................................................................................................................... 46 2.3.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 46 2.3.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 47 2.3.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 48 vii 2.4 Shaquille O’Neal ................................................................................................................... 49 2.4.1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show ...................................................................................... 49 2.4.2 The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon................................................................. 50 2.4.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 51 2.5 Will Smith .............................................................................................................................